Compare dry beans & lentils

Research · Dry beans & lentils

What our research found about dry beans & lentils

Dried beans, lentils and split peas are the cheapest way to buy legumes and the label is usually a single ingredient. The differences are variety, harvest year and freshness: very old beans cook slowly and unevenly, which is why heirloom bean sellers often publish a harvest year. Lentils and split peas cook quickly without soaking; most beans benefit from a soak and a long simmer.

Beans must be cooked thoroughly. Raw or undercooked kidney beans contain compounds that can make people ill, so follow the package directions for soaking and boiling. Harvard’s Nutrition Source summarizes the nutrition case for legumes: fiber, plant protein, and minerals. For the best value, compare price per pound and harvest recency rather than brand marketing.

Products

343 brands

Full labels recorded

00% of the shelf

Maker says organic

10maker’s claim

Counts use complete, current ingredient labels only. Records without a published label stay unknown and are never counted as clean.

What to compare

• Variety and harvest year. Fresher beans cook more evenly; some growers print the harvest year.
• Cook time. Lentils and split peas need no soak; beans usually do.
• Organic and sourcing. Organic is USDA-certified; farm and region details are producer claims.
• Price per pound. Compare unit price, since bag sizes vary widely.

References

1. Legumes Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
2. Fiber Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
3. Dietary Guidelines for Americans U.S. Department of Agriculture and HHS
4. Organic labeling and what the USDA Organic seal means USDA Agricultural Marketing Service